Kiara and I are back safe and sound after a great weekend in the Catlins working on various conservation projects. We were put up by Fergus and Mary Sutherland of Catlins Wildlife Trackers, who provided transportation, accommodation, and tons of great home cooking.

We got to their place late Friday night. Saturday morning we went to the Te Rere Yellow Eyed Penguin reserve which was home to the largest colony of the penguins on the mainland. The population dropped dramatically after a fire in 1995, but the population is steadily climbing due to reforestation efforts. Our group paved the way for the planter (who will be coming in a few weeks) by clearing and maintaining the trails on the reserve. It was an all day event! We both had a great time, and were treated to a great view of some of the penguins after we were done.

Sunday we worked on clearing a DOC trail down to a beach, as well as killing one of the most invasive species in New Zealand, the Broom Bush. We worked for the morning, after which we went back to the Sutherland's for lunch and a free afternoon. They provided kayaks for us, so we took a short paddle up the estuary and river in front of their house. ( I am quite biased against kayaks...give me the Lead Sled any day.) We also went for a short walk down the beach, and had to collect some of the great shells we found washed up...we even found a Paua Shell!

What a great way to spend a weekend!

Caleb